Jermain Defoe will attempt to shrug off the disappointment of Tottenham's failure to qualify for Europe next season by claiming a regular place in Sven-Goran Eriksson's England line-up.

Defoe was picked in a three-man attack in the qualifiers against Wales and Azerbaijan, having just scored against Poland, but he has largely been consigned to the bench since then.

Defoe knows he faces a difficult job to dislodge Eriksson favourites Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen but the former's absence from the tour of the United States will give the Spurs hitman the perfect opportunity to impress the Swedish coach yet further.

The 22-year-old has always maintained a level-headed approach to his England ambitions and he insists that he must remain positive while waiting for his chance.

Defoe said: "All I can do is give the manager an added headache in selection for the first team.

"I don't look at Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney in a negative way and think I will never get a chance.

"It's down to me to change things. We have tried playing with all three and we won the games but if I'm honest he would prefer to play with just the two up front. I can't change that - all I can do is present him with a case to put me in.

"If I get my chance I will take it. And when you get a chance with England you have to grab it with both hands.

"I realise that people make comparisons between me and Michael Owen. I accept there are similarities. We both like to exploit the channels, get in behind defenders and score goals.

"Owen is a proven goalscorer at this level and he now plays for arguably the biggest club in the world. But I have never claimed to be the equal of Michael, I'm Jermain Defoe at the end of the day.

"When you get selected for England, you are the chosen ones, the ones to represent your country. It means a lot, you feel proud.

"Once you're there it's brilliant. It gives a lift to your game to work with such great players and great people. And training with England, you will always improve."

Defoe is unaffected by the huge amount of expectation on England's players as they attempt to qualify for next year's World Cup finals in Germany.

Eriksson's squad are expected to do well if they reach the finals and Defoe says all the players are determined to be successful.

He adds: "I think there's immense pressure on the players and manager to win something.

"That is why the players are really fired up for the World Cup next year, especially after coming so close in the European Championships.

"England are a massive footballing nation and people's expectations are high going into any tournament. But it's always going to be like that unless we win something.

"The World Cup in 2006 is massive for me. To be involved would be a dream come true.

"That's what football is all about - the big things and being part of them. You strive for that and hope you will achieve it.

"You can't hide from it because it isn't far away. I want to be on that plane, believe me."

His season with Spurs will have helped his cause no end and the former West Ham striker celebrated life at White Hart Lane this season by signing an improved four-and-a-half year contract.

Despite speculation linking him with a big-money move to Chelsea this summer, Defoe was happy to put pen to paper on the new deal.

He said: "Since I've been at the club the staff, the players, and the fans have all been great and I've thoroughly enjoyed my time. It's all gone so quickly.

"This season has been special as well. I think we've got a strong squad, pushed on and done really well. Everything about the club is great at the moment.

"It's a lovely feeling when people come up to you in the street and say, 'There's a massive difference, I love watching Tottenham play now' and it's great to be involved in something like that."

Defoe has scored 23 goals in all competitions this season for Spurs and England, and he values the service he's been given.

He added: "Things have gone well for me but as I keep saying, when you are playing with great players it makes it a whole lot easier."